Somel explained: "We find that in all your historic period, so much longer than ours, that with all the interplay of services, the exchange of inventions and discoveries, and the wonderful progress we so admire, that in this widespread Other World of yours, there is still much disease, often contagious."
We admitted this at once.
"Also there is still, in varying degree, ignorance, with prejudice and unbridled emotion."
This too was admitted.
"We find also that in spite of the advance of democracy and the increase of wealth, that there is still unrest and sometimes combat."
Yes, yes, we admitted it all. We were used to these things and saw no reason for so much seriousness.
"All things considered," they said, and they did not say a hundredth part of the things they were considering, "we are unwilling to expose our country to free communication with the rest of the world—as yet.
